What is Cocoa Butter?

Cocoa Butter is a rich, plant-based butter extracted from the cocoa beans of the cocoa tree (Theobroma Cacao). The Latin name literally means "food of the gods", a name that the ancient Aztecs already gave to this tree because they associated cocoa with the god of rain and fertility. Our Cocoa Butter is organically certified and unrefined, which allows it to retain its recognizable, light chocolate scent.

The Spaniard Fernando Cortez first brought large quantities of cocoa beans to Europe in the 16th century. Only in 1828 did Amsterdam chocolate maker Casparus van Houten discover how the fat could be separated from the beans from the cocoa powder. That separation was the basis for chocolate production as we know it today, and at the same time provided the pure cocoa butter that is so beloved in cosmetics.

How does Cocoa Butter work on the skin?

Cocoa Butter is firm and brittle at room temperature, and melts from approximately 35°C, so precisely at skin temperature. A property that makes it particularly suitable for products like lip balm and massage bars, which must be hard enough to maintain their shape while also melting smoothly upon contact with the skin.

The butter is rich in oleic acid, stearic acid and palmitic acid, and naturally contains vitamin K, vitamin E and polyphenols. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and helps protect the skin against free radicals and premature skin aging. Vitamin K supports the skin and contributes to suppleness. The polyphenols are a group of powerful antioxidants that in research are linked to skin rejuvenation and stimulating natural collagen production.

Benefits of Cocoa Butter

Intensively nourishing and hydrating
A rich, occlusive butter that nourishes the skin and helps retain moisture. Especially nice on dry, rough or winter skin.

Rich in antioxidants
Vitamin E and polyphenols help protect the skin against free radicals and contribute to a youthful appearance.

Perfect melting point for lip balm and massage bars
Firm at room temperature, melts on the skin. An ideal butter for stick formulas, lip care and body butters.

Lovely, natural scent
The unrefined cocoa butter has a light chocolate-like scent that gives a nice aromatic layer to homemade skincare without synthetic fragrance.

Pro-age
The combination of vitamin E, vitamin K and polyphenols contributes to counteracting premature skin aging and helps keep the skin young and supple.

How to use Cocoa Butter?

Directly from the jar
Take a piece of Cocoa Butter in your hand and rub it over your skin, especially nice after showering. Due to the warmth of a freshly showered body, the butter melts easily and absorbs well. Pay extra attention to dry, rough spots like elbows, knees and heels.

In a lip balm
Melt Cocoa Butter au bain-marie and mix with a carrier oil of choice (like Jojoba Oil) and optionally a bit of Beeswax for structure. Pour into an empty lip balm stick or small jar and let cool.

In a massage bar
Melt Cocoa Butter together with a carrier oil and optionally other butters or waxes. Pour into an ice cube tray or silicone mold, let cool and you have solid massage bars that melt on the skin.

In a whipped body butter
Combine Cocoa Butter with Shea Butter and a carrier oil au bain-marie, cool back down and whip until a creamy, fluffy texture. Creates a rich body butter with a light chocolate scent.

In a bodybar or lotion bar
Due to its hard structure, Cocoa Butter is a nice base for solid bars that maintain their shape at room temperature and melt on the skin.

Tips when using Cocoa Butter

• Store Cocoa Butter at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Not in the refrigerator, as cold makes the butter too hard and brittle.
• The butter is crumbly and hard at room temperature. For processing in a formula, first melt au bain-marie on low heat.
• Quick cooling while continuously stirring prevents grain formation during solidification.
• Always close the jar or packaging properly after use to limit oxidation.

Points of attention

Cocoa Butter is generally well tolerated by all skin types. When in doubt or with sensitive skin, first test on a small piece of skin and wait 24 hours. Keep out of reach of children.